Ylang ylang oil is also known as Cananga odoratum, Unona odoratissimum, Perfume Tree, and love oil.
Ylang ylang is one of the most popular essential oils worldwide. Ylang ylang means "fragrance of all fragrances" or "flower of flowers" and has traditionally been used to cover nuptial beds of newlyweds on their wedding eve. The ylang-ylang (pronounced ee-lang ee-lang) tree grows up to 65 feet high. The ylang ylang tree produces large delicate flowers year around that are various shades yellow, pink or mauve and harvested primarily for the production of essential oil. The yellow flowers have long trailing petals and a strong, sweet aromatic scent. The ylang ylang flowers are ideal in the manufacturing of perfumes. Few flowers compare to the signature ylang ylang scents consisting of heavy, sweet floral aromas that are sometimes blended with jasmine oil, rose oil and cardamom. The ylang ylang essential oil is characterized as intensely floral, soft, slightly spicy, sweet, moderate balsamic, with a narcissus or bananalike overtone and a scent of a rich creamy top note.

According to D. Gary Young ND in his book, Essential oils Integrative Medical Guide, "Ylang ylang (Cananga odoratum) helps bring about a sense of relaxation and may help balance male and female energies. It balances equilibrium and restores confidence and self-love."

Ylang ylang is considered to be a very romantic, euphoric, soothing, calming and of course a sensual oil.

The yellow flowers of the tree are preferred over other colors for the steam extraction of ylang ylang essential oil. Ylang ylang flowers are freshly picked very early in the morning, to maximize oil production, all year long. Ylang Ylang (Cananga odorata var. genuina) yellow flowers are steam distilled in fractionated rounds to separate the delicate, topmost, floral notes (approx. 40% of yield) from the more bourbon earthy type notes of following fractionations. The Cananga odorata essential oil is extensively used in aromatherapy and the making of perfumes.

Some believe the ylang ylang tree originated in the Philippines, but the ylang ylang tree is considered indigenous to tropical Asia including Malaysia, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, Comoro & Reunion Islands and Madagascar. The Cananga odorata has spread its growing borders and naturalized in Vietnam, Northern Australia, Thailand, most of the larger Pacific Islands and is cultivated in France as well as throughout the tropical regions of the world.

Ylang ylang is one of the most prized essential oils. Ylang ylang's sweet and heavy scent reminiscent to jasmine, is celebrated on honeymoons and in weddings.

The different grades ylang ylang oil vary based on the length of time the flowers are in the steam distillation process. The ylang ylang essential oil taken off early in the distillation process is the strongest scent ("Extra"). Ylang ylang #1 produces the best quality in the shortest period of time for the best price. All four grades of ylang ylang oil have a heavy scent compared to other scented essential oils.

The scent of ylang ylang, like rose and jasmine, has long been used as an aphrodisiac. All three of these so called aphrodisiac scents also smell wonderful. These scents attract the opposite sex. All aphrodisiac claims may be coincidental. In aromatherapy, ylang ylang properties are used to support stress relief.

Clinical studies has shown ylang ylang, to possess antibacterial properties against various bacteria, including Staphylococcus aureus (1).
In another trial, ylang ylang was shown to kill Pseudomonas aeruginosa and also inhibit growth of Candida albicans (2).
Ylang ylang has also been shown to be one of the most popular and effective essential oils for epilepsy as shown in a clinical trial performed by Dr. Betts of England (3).

2. Maudsley F, Kerr, KG. Support Skin Cancer, 1999 March;7 (2): 100-102. PMID:10089091. Microbiological safety of essential oils used in complementary therapies and the activity of these compounds against bacterial and fungal pathogens.

3. Betts T.. Aroma 95 Conference, Practical experience of using aromatherapy in people with epilepsy July 1995, Guilford, UK.

General Safety Information: Do not take any essential oils internally without consultation from medical doctor or qualified aromatherapy practitioner . Do not apply undiluted absolutes, essential oils, CO2s or other pure essences onto the skin. Use essential oils only under the proper guidance of a qualified aromatherapy practitioner, medical doctor or health professional if you have any other medical problem, cancer, are pregnant, epileptic, or have liver damage. Conduct a skin patch test prior to using any essential oil. Seek professional guidance before using essential oils on children. Ylang ylang can produce nausea or headaches when used in excess. [Julia Lawless, The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Essential Oils (Rockport, MA: Element Books, 1995), 104.] Possible sensitization. [Robert Tisserand, Essential Oil Safety (United Kingdom: Churchill Livingstone, 1995), 211.]

Ylang ylang is also thought to relieve depression, sexual dysfunction, lack of interest, sharpen the senses, calming effects and to temper jealousy, anger, depression, and fear and support for oily skin.

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